Player Updates

Howard will undergo surgery to address the pain from his gluteal injury, and the typical recovery time in 2-to-3 months, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports.

It was reported Thursday that Howard was expected to undergo the procedure, but it is now confirmed with an estimated timetable. The Wizards will likely provide an exact recovery timetable following the surgery, but it can be safely assumed that Howard is in line to miss a large portion of the regular season. Without Howard, Washington will likely continue starting Thomas Bryant, but head coach Scott Brooks has been featuring small-ball lineups as of late and is expected to continue doing so.

Howard (lower body) is expected to undergo surgery to give him much-needed relief from a lingering gluteal injury, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Howard met with a nerve specialist in Los Angeles to determine what has been causing him pain through the first few months of the season, and it appears surgery may be required to address the issue. It's uncertain as to when he might undergo surgery and how long it would sideline him for, and the big man might seek a second opinion on a course of treatment, per Wojnarowski. More news on Howard's availability moving forward should come in the near future, although it seems as though he'll continue to experience pain and discomfort until the procedure is done.

Howard will meet with a nerve specialist in Los Angeles over his piriformis injury, Candace Buckner of The Washington Post reports.

Howard missed the first seven games of the year due to lower back pain, which has now caused him to miss the past four games and is being noted as gluteal soreness. More information should emerge after Howard sees a specialist, but he's already been ruled out for Wednesday's game at New Orleans and Friday's game at Philadelphia. While Howard remains out, Thomas Bryant is expected to continue starting at center.

Howard (lower body) will not travel with the Wizards on their upcoming two-game roadtrip, Candace Buckner of the Washington Post reports.

This doesn't come as much of a surprise, as Howard continues to nurse a lower body issue that's kept him out of the last five games. He'll miss Wednesday's game in New Orleans and Friday's game in Philadelphia, meaning his next chance to play will come Saturday, when the Wizards play host to Brooklyn.

Howard will miss a fifth straight contest while recovering from gluteal soreness. Thomas Bryant is expected to continue filling in as the Wizards' starting center for the remainder of Howard's absence.